Good Afternoon Broadview Danforth BIA business members.
Please note that Provincial NDP leader Andrea Horwath, MPP Peter Tabuns, Mayor John Tory, and Councillor Paula Fletcher are addressed in the email version of this notice.
Earlier this morning Andrea Horwath held a media conference to release the Ontario NDP's updated Save Main Street Plan. Attached to this email please find the full plan and the media release from the NDP.
I encourage you all to take the time to read carefully through the attached plan as it calls on Premier Ford to do the following (this is a summary of key points):
1. Ban on all commercial evictions
2. Implement a 75% rent subsidy for all businesses
3. Create a paid sick leave plan
4. Create a fund to assist businesses with their reopening requirements per Covid rules and regulations
5. Crack down on insurance companies who are currently either hiking up their fees or denying policy renewals for businesses
6. Provide funding to improve and expand child care
During the media conference Ms. Horwath pointed out that the Province's recent FAO (Financial Accountability Office) report confirmed that the Province has funding to assist with the Health Sector Response Fund and Support for People and Jobs Fund. Most of this money is from the Federal government. To date a combined $6.7 billion remains unallocated by the Ford government.
When asked during the media conference what the revised Save Main Street plan would cost, Ms. Howarth indicated that it would be in the range of $1 billion. Ms. Horwath also said that "The buck stops with Premier Ford". I personally would like to add to that - "The buck stops with Premier Ford so SPEND the buck(s) on the people and businesses in Ontario".
We all know that the fight to keep our businesses afloat is one that we need to take to all 3 levels of government. This week's Federal Throne Speech indicated that there are certain programs that will be extended or revised (wage subsidy) and EI but there was no specific reference to a new rent relief program. We may hear more about this in the days/weeks to come but at the same time our Province seems to have the financial capability to step up and do so much better by our businesses.
On behalf of the 355 business members of the Broadview Danforth BIA, I urge Ms. Horwath, Mr. Tabuns, Mayor Tory and Councillor Fletcher to press Premier Ford to do better and spend the "bucks"! And for our BIA members, you can press the Premier on this - premier@ontario.ca
Thanks,
Susan